Tetralysal Acne Treatment

Is Tetralysal Good For Acne?

Tetralysal is the brand name for the antibiotic medicine Lymecycline and it belongs to the tetracycline antibiotic family.

If you have tried antibiotics to try and treat your acne, its likely your doctor has or will recommend you try Tetralysal.

While it does have other uses such treating various bacterial infections, its not the antibiotic of choice, it is prescribed primarily to treat acne as it is highly effective at disabling the bacteria propionibacterium acnes (p.acnes) that causes spots and allowing the skin to heal.

It’s normally prescribed for a minimum of 8 weeks (2 months) to treat acne, although it may be prescribed for longer depending on the individual and the severity of the acne.

It should not be given to patients under the age of 12.

Tetralysal Side Effects

Like many other antibiotics it does have its side effects, most common ones include:

Stomach upset/nausea

Diarrhoea

Headache

Abdominal pain

Skin Rash

Unpleasant taste in mouth

Rarely, serious side effects can occur:

Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

Vision disturbances

Jaundice

Ulcers and/or lesions on mouth,lips or genitals

Liver damage

Increased pressure in the brain

You should not take Tetralysal if:

You are pregnant or trying to become pregnant

Breastfeeding

You are allergic to tetracycline or doxycycline

You have kidney disease

Consult your doctor before taking if:

You have SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus)

You suffer from Myasthenia Gravis

You are taking blood thinning medications such as Warfarin

You’re using any other other acne medications concurrently

Using diuretics for high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease

Using Quinapril (blood pressure medication)

You take supplements that include zinc, iron, calcium and magnesium

You regularly take antacids

How To Take Tetralysal

For acne, Tetralysal is normally taken once a day with a glass of water.

It can be taken with or without food but it shouldn’t be taken with any indigestion remedies, OTC or prescribed.

Particularly if they contain; magnesium, calcium, aluminium or iron while taking this medication as it can stop the body from absorbing the medication properly.

It’s also important to remember that with most antibiotics, if you are sexually active and are a woman you will need to take precautions and if you are on the pill, it may not work properly when you are taking Tetralysal and you could get pregnant. A barrier method such as a condom should be used.

Does Tetralysal Work

Below are some user reviews and the general consensus seems to be that it can work well for some, but it has significant and unpleasant side effects;

Can You Buy Tetralysal In Ireland

Tetralysal is only available by prescription.

There are some unscrupulous places online selling Tetralysal but this is dangerous and illegal. Consult your doctor before trying any medication that has not been properly prescribed for your use.

Our Thoughts

Tetralysal is a commonly prescribed medication for acne and for some, its very effective. But for the vast majority, its a double edged sword. Like many antibiotics, it causes side effects that quite often don’t subside after a few days and this can outweigh any benefits of the medication.

There’s also the case of antibiotic resistance when treating acne for an extended period of time with antibiotic medication.

See More About Antibiotic Resistance

Alternatives To Tetralysal

If you don’t or can’t go down the route of using an antibiotic to treat your acne, why not explore the natural acne treatments that are available?

There’s plenty on offer and it can be difficult to decide which one will work best for you and your skin without causing any detrimental side effects.

We’ve made it a little easier by putting together a list of the current best natural acne treatments in Ireland in terms of formulation, safety and effectiveness.

In The Media

The information in this website is for advice and guidance only. It is based on my own intensive research and personal experiences, and is not intended in any way to replace professional medical advice, or to diagnose or treat any health conditions.
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